Even in offseason, Patriots dominate division

The Patriots are 'winning' the offseason in the AFC East, a division they've come to own during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.

Glen Farley The Enterprise @GFarley_ent

Score it another divisional win for the Patriots.

With NFL free agency now in its third week and the draft less than six weeks away, the Patriots are “winning” the offseason in the AFC East, a division they won by four games in 2013 and one they’ve come to own during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era (11 first-place finishes in 14 years).

For starters, swapping Aqib Talib (now in Denver) for Darrelle Revis (released by Tampa Bay) at the cornerback position was an upgrade the Patriots didn’t realize a year ago when they essentially did the same thing at wide receiver by letting Wes Welker walk and bringing in Danny Amendola.

The position was further bolstered by the signing of Brandon Browner, a physical presence (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) on the corner who was once a member of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom.”

Julian Edelman was a key re-signing, the second coming of Welker averted, and the signing of former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell added size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and experience to a position lacking in both.

While running back LeGarrette Blount remains on the open market, to this point the Patriots’ biggest free-agent loss has been Brandon Spikes, although the fact that the team and the linebacker would be going their separate ways became clear long before the Buffalo Bills placed a contract in front of him.

Spikes’ physicality may be missed, but he was a liability in pass coverage; the Patriots have actually become more athletic at the position with Jamie Collins moving into a starting role with Jerod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower.

Beyond that, the Patriots took a hit in the depth area at linebacker, but perhaps even more so on special teams when Dane Fletcher signed with the Buccaneers.

Then Thursday came word that defensive tackle Vince Wilfork had agreed to restructure his contract, a deal that could keep him in New England for another three years.

In New York. the Jets’ signing of Michael Vick could go either way.

On the one hand, Vick could mark an improvement that puts second-year quarterback Geno Smith on the bench; on the other hand, it could lay the groundwork for a Tim Tebow effect the second time around.

If Vick, who lost his job in Philadelphia to Nick Foles, doesn’t go to the head of the Jets’ depth chart, New Yorkers are sure to clamor for him whenever Smith struggles, as he so often did as his team finished 8-8 and four games behind the Patriots last season.

Coming off an 87-reception season, Eric Decker was added from Denver, but the wide receiver won’t be catching passes from anyone who’s about to be mistaken for Peyton Manning.

The Jets offensive line is a question mark, having lost Austin Howard (Oakland) and Vladimir Ducasse (Minnesota), but adding Brent Giacomini from the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Along the way, the Jets parted ways with quarterback Mark Sanchez (NFL.com reported he came to terms with the Eagles on Thursday), wide receiver Santonio Holmes and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Cromartie’s departure (he’s in Arizona now) creates a major void the Jets will be challenged to fill.

In the aftermath of its .500 finish in 2013, Miami’s moves won’t erase the gap in the AFC East, but with the additions of tackle Branden Albert (from Kansas City) and Shelley Smith (St. Louis) the Dolphins have at least made some moves aimed at beginning to make over an offensive line that was a disaster both on and off the field last year.

On Thursday, they reportedly added Knowshon Moreno, a 1,000-yard rusher in Denver last season.

The defensive tackle position has been one of high activity in Miami this offseason with one lost (Paul Soliai to Atlanta), another gained (Early Mitchell from Houston) and yet another retained (Randy Starks).

The Dolphins kept their top cornerback, Brent Grimes, and in Cortland Finnegan they added another at that position, although the latter’s skills waned over the past couple of years in St. Louis.

Amidst all this, according to multiple reports from this week’s annual league meeting in Orlando, Fla., the Dolphins are trying to peddle wide receiver Mike Wallace just one season into a five-year, $60-million deal.

The fact that Spikes has been their biggest addition speaks volumes for what the Bills have – or haven’t – done.

A team that finished 6-10 a year ago took a major blow (although not unexpected) when Jairus Byrd, one of the best safeties in the game, moved on to New Orleans.

Glen Farley may be reached at gfarley@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GFarley_ent.